Dick Beyer wrestled and played football at Syracuse University in New York , enjoying tremendous success. He was a conference champion in wrestling and an AAU star. He won many regional and state amateur titles and then turned to the pro game.

Wrestling in a white mask, Beyer first competed as Dr. X then as The Destroyer and became one of the biggest attractions around the world, particularly in Japan . He claimed numerous titles, including WWA world champion and AWA world champion.